Tag: Brad Turner

LISA FRANKENSTEIN (2024)

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Directed by: Zelda Williams 
Written By: Diablo Cody
Cinematography: Paula Huidobro 
Editor: Brad Turner

Cast: Kathryn Newton, Cole Spouse, Liza Soberano, Joey Harris, Carla Gugino, Charlie Talbert, Henry Eikenberry, Bryce Romero, Joey Chrest 

A coming of RAGE love story about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. After a set of horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a journey to find love, happiness – and a few missing body parts.

The film offers an original vision. That proves itself more than just stylish it actually has depth. So that in itself it is like a teenager or the mentality and mood of one.

It’s as if Tim Burton made a teenage girl film As it fits into his style and type of character, but not as much on a grand scale. Which makes you end up liking it more than I expected to. 

The film feels definitely like an 80s film and when they mentioned later in the film that the year 1989 it fits perfectly wish it had come out at that time though this also works as a kind of nostalgic throwback. While it’s set in suburbia the film also achieves making its own world that seems separate yet so close to our own with a lot more color coding. That calls to mind screenwriter Diablo Cody’s previous film JENNIFER’S BODY 

Very camping at times over the top, but yet has an odd comfort level to it all.It’s a good film for its target audience that actually fits even at times when it can be risky 

As at times it’s Right on the precipice of macabre strangely, it works and has its own innocence. At Times it can feel like a wacky comedy, but also fits in with the Heathers crowd the PG-13, it is a little risque 

even for its more violent and even some sexual scenes, it’s a little bit more suggested and creative in the ways that it presents it that are not exploited, but actually seem more creative at times. This feels like a rather expensive student film, though that is what is part of its charm and luckily written by Diablo Cody, making a comeback 

This is Zelda Williams making her directorial debut, and it feels that way, but it gets stronger and more focused as it goes along 

It’s a love story, at heart where all the feelings seem misdirected towards what you view as your ideal and are blinded to their red flags and the people who actually care about you and love you. You take for granted or fail To see the obvious.

Katheryn Newton is winning as the lead character with all of her issues and psychosis, yet is sweet, crazy, and hilarious.

This is one twisted film in romance whose wavelength works totally fits

GRADE: B 

MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM (2022)

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Directed By: Damon Thomas
Written By: Jenna Lamia
Based On The Novel By: Grady Hendrix
Cinematography: Rob Givens 
Editor: Brad Turner 

Cast: Elsie Fisher, Amiah Miller, Rachel Ogechi Kanu, Cathy Ang, Christopher Lowell,  Clayton Royal Johnson, Cameron Bass

Teen best friends Abby and Gretchen grapple with an otherworldly demon that takes up residence in Gretchen’s body.

First off let me say that I have read the book and I am a fan of it. 

Next, let me say that this film is pretty faithful to the material. It is also quite different. As the movie plays drier and less spirited than the book.

It’s like the film followed the recipe but seemed to skip some ingredients. I don’t know if this was on purpose or because of the budget. A nice attempt that never quite cuts to the heart. 

As while it does count as a horror film. It also feels more to stay in the safe realm of Pg-13 because it wants to appeal to a younger female audience. As it feels a bit disconnected from other audience members.

The cast is fairly unknown for the most part which works. As it leaves everyone open to being a victim or being taken out and not safe because of their stardom.

Through the film. Betrays them by making most of the characters so stereotypical or one-sided that again we never really get to know or feel anything for them except for the two leads. Even in some dramatic moments for the supporting characters it never reaches the level of emotion it could because you barely know them. 

It’s nice to see a film with a cast so diverse and Christopher Lowell as one of the lemon brothers is energetic and hilarious. Even though he is not in the film nearly enough. He is truly what helps keep the film afloat. As he is the only one here who seems to provide those qualities which the film heavily lacks most of the time. Making it come off as more workman-like and less caring.

It might also be that until Christopher Lowell’s character shows up the movie has no sense of humor. It seems set at playing it straight. Which kind of sucks the air out of the room instead of keeping your interests fully. As it comes off as bland as sugarless gum. Sure a hint of flavor, but for the most part you are just chewing your own backwash.

Elsie Fisher is the lead and makes for a truly memorable heroine as she does most of the heavy lifting throughout.

The film also shows the screenplay principle of constantly introducing something as minor and it coming back to be a major point or detail later in the movie. 

It’s not a horrible movie but a movie that needed maybe a draft or two more before the endeavor was taken into production. As there are the bones of a good movie here.

Can give it credit as trying to be for a certain audience and not ever going for exploitation and trying to stick strictly to its story. Even if it feels a little more cut and dry for it. 

For a film about possession. The film seems to lack a spirit of Its own. Yes, I read the original book which had plenty of it. It stays faithful in following the recipe but seems to be missing many vital ingredients

Grade: C